TAMPA BAY, Fla. -- 7,500 are currently without power in the Tampa Bay area, according to Progress Energy.

TECO says it still has 8,500 without power in Hillsborough County.

Crews continue restoration efforts, even as the storm continues. Repair work is being complicated by high winds and flooding, which make travel and access to damaged equipment a challenge. As a result, restoration efforts may take several days to complete in some areas.

Progress Energy also expects additional outages over the next several days as the storm is expected to make landfall along the Florida coast later this week.